Creating Centers of Excellence in Israel and internationally
Erel Margalit has initiated the Margalit Startup City, a socioeconomic development model which promotes the growth of regions, and advances cities to the next level – transforming them into international innovation centers that attract entrepreneurs from all over the world.
Through thematic international innovation centers that make a difference in Israel and around the world, Margalit Startup City creates a new urban socioeconomic reality, generating thousands of new jobs, bringing young people back to the city centers, establishing a startup ecosystem, building connections with local and international investors, attracting multinational companies, leading to new business opportunities and international partnerships, and builds the next generation of technological, social and cultural entrepreneurs.
The uniqueness of this integration of business and technological innovation with urban social and cultural, includes artists, musicians, culinary experts, and a wide range of the creative class that transform cities into lively centers that create employment opportunities for young people, and drive positive migration of brilliant minds to city centers.
The first Margalit Startup City center for media and AI was established in Jerusalem, followed by the Cyber Center in Be’er Sheva, the international FoodTech Center in the Galilee, the Fintech Center in Tel Aviv, and the Digital Health Center in Haifa and the International and the Cyber Center in New York.
Shaping the Next Generation
More than 20 years ago, Erel and his wife Debbie recognized the socio-economic gaps among Jerusalem’s disadvantaged children and created the social impact program Margalit Startup City Community “Bakehila.” What started in Jerusalem is now a nationally renowned educational non-profit that raises academic achievements and promotes personal and social growth among elementary and high school students in Jewish and Arab communities throughout Israel. More than 55,000 students nationwide have graduated from Margalit Start Up City Community programs. All Margalit Start Up City locations combine technology and education for under-privileged youth, encouraging them to take part in an economic development story that transforms and redefines their region, uproots poverty, instils a sense of community, and ignites opportunity around innovation.
Founded in 1993 by Dr. Erel Margalit, JVP is an internationally renowned VC fund. It is among the pioneering firms of the Israeli VC industry and has raised over $1.7bn.
